#AMonthofFaves – Top 5 Winter Reads

So after scanning through my handy dandy spreadsheet, I have discovered that last winter was the year I read these amazing books – how quickly we soon forget!

The elegance of the hedgehog – Muriel Barbery
I bought my copy at a library book sale, and of course held on to it for at least a year before reading it. I brought it with me on our trip to Singapore. It was a month-long visit so I would have plenty of time to read it. And I loved it. Oh those two wonderful characters and their intelligence. I passed the copy on to my sister, whom I thought would enjoy it. I haven’t yet checked if she’s read it! A delightful tale. Not very wintry but its Parisian setting makes for some welcome armchair traveling.

Last night at the lobster – Stewart O’Nan
A very wintry tale this one, although it doesn’t sound it! I love books that are set over the course of a day, and this one was awesome. We follow the employees of a to-be-closed chain restaurant as they make it through their last day of work. And it is winter. And there is snow.At the mouth of the river of bees – Kij Johnson
A collection of stories by the amazing Kij Johnson, including the unforgettable The Man Who Bridged the Mist, which you can read part of here at Asimov’s. Not all the stories agreed with me but those that did were quite something. In case you are wondering, yes, there is a story about bees, and others about cats, dogs, monkeys, wolves.The tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo

There’s something about winter that makes me want to read fairytales. And this was sweet and enchanting.

The last policeman – Ben H Winters

This has such great concept. It’s not the trendy post-apocalyptic type of plot but a pre-apocalyptic one. Six months left till an asteroid hits Earth with devastating consequences! So there are going to be suicides and disappearances (people going Bucket List), but sometimes there are suicides and disappearances that might be suspicious and Detective Hank Palace is on the job! Mostly cos he’s the only one who cares. It’s a very different crime series. And a fun read. Despite, that is, the impending doom.

Ooh I love the sound of The Last Policeman. And this is one of my favorite seasonal lists to do because – you’re so right – we forget some really amazing books, and it’s great to bring thm back into the spotlight 🙂